Wireless in the Warehouse

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Wireless in the Warehouse

• Survey and Installation Methodology
• NetCom International Incorporated
• John A. Helm, VP Operations

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NetCom International Inc.

• Doing data communications since 1986
• Design and Installation Services only
  organization dedicated to quality of service
• Over 7000 Wireless Site Surveys and Installations
• Single source solution encompassing cable,
  electrical and equipment staging departments
• Key deployment of Field Engineers in major cities
  optimizes NetCom Internationals coverage range
  nationally.
• Learn more at WWW.NETCOMITL.COM

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Wireless Warehousing

• Warehouse environments require mobility and
  repetitive actions
• Many elements such as redundant functions and
  expansive space can slow overall operation
  performance
• Todays wireless network can streamline these
  functions and make up for that space by allowing
  the data entry to go where the work is being
  performed

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Wireless Warehouse Project Requirements

• Collect pre-site information
• Critical information determining the type of
  equipment and survey to be conducted
• Site survey
• A proper site survey should be conducted for any
  facility that would require greater than one
  access point
• Installation
• An improper installation could result in serious
  performance problems, make sure the installation
  is done by certified contractors for all aspects
• Ensure all materials have been ordered and
  delivered prior to this step

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Pre-Site Survey

• A form of data collection
• Information that will dictate how or where the
  survey is conducted
• This helps to determine overall project
  requirements such as
• Throughput needed
• Redundancy and overlap
• Number of users
• Type of applications which dictate performance
• Survey restrictions and special needs
• See an example on the Contact Us web page at
  WWW.NETCOMITL.COM

FOR MORE INFO...
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Site Survey

• The only way to guarantee a successful
  installation is to have a full site survey or
  engineering design plan for the facility
• Installation without a site survey can lead to
  serious network problems

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What You Need

• Test Equipment
• Antennas Cables
• Ladder or Lift
• Safety Equipment
• Marking Materials
• Site Drawing
• Meet with MIS
• Conduct a Walk-through of the Site

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Test Equipment

• Selection of antennas
• AP model that will be installed
• Wireless Laptop or client device used
• Spectrum Analyzer

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Antennas Cables

• Always test with the antenna to be installed
• Any antenna extension cables needed for the
  installation should be used for the Site Survey
  too

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Dipole Omni Directional Whip
 

• The Dipole Omni-Directional Whip
• Access Points and PC boards are usually installed
  with this antenna.
• Polarization Vertical
• Gain 2.14dBi

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Omni-Directional Antenna

• The High-Gain Omni-Directional
• This antenna covers a significantly greater area
  than can be covered with the unity-gain
  Omni-directional type. Access Points are usually
  installed with high-gain antennas.
• Polarization Vertical
• Gain 5.2 and 12dBi

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Hemispherical Patch Antenna

• The Patch
• This is a directional antenna with a very wide
  pattern. It is sometimes easier to mount the
  patch than any other type antenna.
• Gain 6dBi and 8.5dBi
• Frequency 2.4 GHz

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High Gain Yagi

• This is a very directional antenna with a beam
  width of only 30 degrees. When the high-gain
  Yagi is used in a facility with many objects
  surrounding it, the antenna can provide long
  directional coverage. This type of Yagi is
  enclosed in a plastic casing.
• Gain 13.5dBi
• Frequency 2.4 GHz

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Access Point

• Always use an Access Point (AP) that is capable
  of the results desired
• The device used should replicate the following
  needs by the end user
• Frequency range
• Power out
• Desired data rates
• Specific form factor if needed

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Laptop or Client Device

• Any device used for testing the connection
  between the AP and Client device must be able to
  run diagnostic utilities to test the link
• Laptops are normally used however sometimes
  client devices are specified such as pen based
  PCs

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Other Test Tools

• A Spectrum Analyzer is sometimes used to locate
  sources of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)
• A handheld Frequency Counter can provide a quick
  reference to specific emissions in a close area
• An Electromagnetic Field Probe can detect local
  sources of Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI)

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Site Drawing

• A set of drawings or prints are needed to
  annotate
• AP locations
• Coverage areas
• Cable and electrical requirements
• Sources of interference
• A set of colored pens, ruler and of course
  something to mark the locations in the facility
  such as flagging tape are also needed

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Site Walkthrough

• A walkthrough is necessary for
• Defining coverage areas desired
• Identifying environmental restrictions
• Familiarizing with the facility to develop a game
  plan for the Site Survey

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Think of Rate vs. Range
2 Mbps FHSS
2 Mbps DSSS 1 Mbps FHSS
5.5 Mbps DSSS
11 Mbps DSSS
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Site Survey
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Facility Layout
NetCom International Inc.
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Continuing the Survey
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Surveying Dense Stock
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Continuing Dense Stock
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Site Survey Utilities
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Site Survey Report

• A good site survey report should include specific
  information
• Contact information
• AP locations and Antennas used
• Configuration notes
• Cable and/or power requirements
• Installation notes
• Diagrams

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Installation of Equipment

• Install Cabling and Electrical needs
• Inventory the equipment on site
• Configure access points
• Install access points, antennas and antenna
  extension cables if needed
• Connect all devices, power on and do a
  certification test to verify coverage

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Cabling and Electrical
Data
Electrical
NetCom International Inc.
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Inventory and Configuration
Be sure to connect Antennas before powering on!
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Equipment Installation

• Antennas must be mounted according to
  polarization
• Access Points will be mounted to
• Wall
• Backboard
• Inside an enclosure
• All cable and wire will be service looped
  following the guidelines discussed on the cabling
  and electrical slide

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Connect and Test

• Be sure to properly connect all devices then
  apply power
• Use the Cisco Site Survey utility to verify the
  installed coverage is right
• Check roaming
• Check data rate
• Check quality
• Check strength

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Showing Off!

• The person on the left is wondering why he didnt
  get a superior wireless capable device like his
  co-worker did.

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Application Stories

• Walk in Freezers
• This can be an anti-RF environment when all metal
  construction is used.
• APs are usually mounted outside with the antenna
  inside or all is mounted inside the freezer in a
  heated NEMA

• Applications
• Many warehouse apps are simple barcode scanning
  that requires little throughput.

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Application Stories cont.

• Many manufacturing and warehouse sites have
  remote buildings that need network capability
• Bypass a phone charge and factor in a wireless
  bridge

• Make installations robust to the environment
• Place devices out of the way
• Never jeopardize safety to yourself or others to
  do the workBe Careful!

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Contact

• Reference your web site for Cisco Wireless
  products
• www.Cisco.com
• John A. Helm
• VP Operations
• NetCom International Inc.
• 3675 Kennesaw N. Ind. Pkwy.
• Kennesaw, GA 30144
• Ph 770-919-0048
• Email jhelm_at_netcomitl.com
• View our Video of NetCom Int.

• You may reference our website for additional help
  on Site Surveys and Installations
• www.netcomitl.com